30-30 load data needed

[JEB]

ive just started making my first reloads and want to work up a decent load for deer hunting. right now i have some honady FTX 160 grain bullets and some IMR 3031. adding different powders and/or bullets is not financially possible at the time, but should be in the future, but for now i want to be able to get by with what i already have. so here is what im wondering:

what is the range of charges (min/max) of 3031?

what kind of velocity and accuracy should i be expecting?

and lastly, are there any good websites that list lots of load data for specific cartridges? every time i search for 30-30 loads i only get a handfull of results and only a couple for the IMR 3031 powder.



if it makes any difference, i am loading for a newer (2002-2003ish) marlin 336 with the micro groove barrel.

 

[Steve C]

ive just started making my first reloads and want to work up a decent load for deer hunting.

This link will get you to Hornady's pdf sheet on loading the 160 gr FTX bullet in the 30-30:
http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ftx_load_data/30-30_win_ftx.pdf.

Unfortunately it doesn't have any data for IMR 3031.

I'd suggest you contact Hornady, you will find the contact information by going to Hornady.com and see if they can send you some data for your powder OR contact Hodgdon that markets and publishes data for IMR powders now and see if they will come up with a load for you. Both are quite helpfull but don't expect instant results, may take a week or two.

The other option if you are in a hurry is to get some of the powder that's listed in the Hornady data. The extra cost will just be something you'll have to deal with. Lesson learned, select bullet and powder when you have data for that combination.

Read what Hornady says regarding reloading this bullet and note they suggest a shorter trim length than what is typically recommended.

 

[qajaq59]

Check at your local library to see if they have any reloading manuals. Many libraries do have them.

 

[NCsmitty]

Here is a link to a write up with some load data for the FTX in the 30-30.

www.realguns.com/Commentary/comar178.htm

I have loaded the FTX using H4895 in the 30-30, a bit over the Hornady listed max and got just under 2100FPS from my Win 94 20" barrel.

NCsmitty

 

[tom357mag]

Hodgdon Powder Company
Cartridge Load Recipe Report - 5/19/2010
data.hodgdon.com 30-30 Winchester
Load Type: Rifle Powder: IMR 3031

Cartridge Information
Case: Winchester Barrel Length: 24"
Twist: 1:12" Trim Length: 2.030"
Primer: WINCHESTER LR

30-30 Winchester
Cartridge Load Data Starting Loads

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Loads

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure
110 GR. SPR FP IMR 3031 0.308" 2.415" 30.5 2281 22,400 CUP 32.5C 2445 33,700 CUP
130 GR. SPR FP IMR 3031 0.308" 2.540" 29.6 2159 27,400 CUP 31.5 2323 33,500 CUP
150 GR. SIE FN IMR 3031 0.308" 2.550" 28.7 2085 28,700 CUP 30.5 2192 36,000 CUP
170 GR. SIE FP IMR 3031 0.308" 2.550" 27.5 1959 27,500 CUP 29.2 2085 35,800 CUP

NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM LOADS

 

[HOWARD J]

Hornady seventh edition reloading manual
150gr JRN---IMR3031--26.6 gr to 31.4gr max
170gr JFP---IMR3031--25.4 to 28.5 gr max

 

[JEB]

for 3031 in a 30-30 keep seeing 29-31 grains listed as a max load but i read just recently (cant remember where) about several people using 33-35 grains with bullets ranging from 150-170grains. would such a load be safe with the 160FTX or are they doing something special that i dont know about?

 

[HOWARD J]

For your safety--stay with proper puplished data..................

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Guys, he's asking about the new FTX bullet Hornady came out with recently. Posting data for the 150gr and 170gr bullets will do him no good.

JEB, I highly suggest you use the data provided by Hornady at the link provided by "Steve" in Post #2.

 

[ForneyRider]

I'd start with the Hornady data.

I went with IMR 4064 and Varget and have excellent accuracy. Especially when we got new scope rings. We are getting 2150fps or so. My dad bought the Cabela's scope for the 160grain FTX and it does great out to 300 yards on some steel reactive targets. He can get bullet holes to touch at 100 yards from a Marlin 336W.

IMR 3031 should work pretty well too.

There are a couple of issues with the FTX and loading. 1) the bullet is long below the cannelure, so you should start with 170gr load data when you don't have 160gr FTX data. 2) The nose of the bullet may require a different seater stem in your seater die. Redding was kind enough to supply me with the correct plug.

 

[Kernel]

3031 is an ideal powder in the .30-30 with 160 gr bullets. Work up from a known minimum in increasing increments of 0.2 grains. Shooting at least 3 rounds at each powder weight. Over a chrony would be great! Once you see pressure signs (or unreasonable velocities) back off 0.4 grains. That's YOUR maxium in YOUR rifle with YOUR brass. You'll never match the velocity of Hornady's factory ammo. So don't set that as a goal. As handloaders we don't have access to the powders they use.